The Didache is one of the earliest Christian writings, earlier than most of the documents that make up the New Testament. It provides practical instructions on how a Christian community should function, and offers unique insights into the way the earliest Christians lived and worshipped.

In this highly readable introduction, Thomas O’Loughlin tells the intriguing story of the Didache, from its discovery in the late nineteenth century to the present.  He then provides an illuminating commentary on the entire text, highlighting areas of special interest to Christians today, and ends with a fresh translation of the text itself.

A truly accessible commentary on this ancient text and on the early Christian communities that lie behind it, and yet one that incorporates up-to-date academic scholarship. Paul Bradshaw, Professor of Liturgy, University of Notre Dame

Watch Professor O’Loughlin discussing the value of the Didache for the modern reader: